Location: Central Asia (Remote- Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, and Uzbekistan) Timeframe: September 2025 - February 2026 LoE: 30 days Final Submission Date for Applications: September 5th, 2025 IBECA Background: Launched in October 2022, the Improving the Business Environment in Central Asia (IBECA) program supports public-private dialogue and regional economic cooperation. Led by the Center for International Private Enterprise (CIPE) and funded by the U.S. Department of State, IBECA connects business leaders and government officials from the U.S., Kazakhstan, the Kyrgyz Republic, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, and Uzbekistan to advance trade, investment, and policy reform. Its flagship event is the annual B5+1 Forum, first launched in March 2024 as a private-sector counterpart to the C5+1 diplomatic platform. The Forum brings together stakeholders across the region to present jointly developed policy recommendations for improving the business and investment environment in Central Asia.  The role of the B5+1 Working Groups: To develop the policy agendas presented at the annual forum, business communities across the five Central Asian work together and with U.S. business leaders to identify challenges, priorities, and policy recommendations. In 2025, CIPE will support six thematic, cross-regional working groups to develop business agendas on the following topics:  <ul><li style="margin-left:8px;">E-commerce and Information Technology (IT)</li><li style="margin-left:8px;">Transportation and Logistics</li><li style="margin-left:8px;">Tourism</li><li style="margin-left:8px;">Agriculture</li><li style="margin-left:8px;">Critical Mineral Resources</li><li style="margin-left:8px;">Banking and Finance Sector</li></ul> Main Responsibilities: CIPE is seeking a dedicated technical expert for an estimated 30 days of work to lead the 2025 B5+1 working group on Critical Minerals, and development of the Business Position Paper on the investment environment for critical minerals in Central Asia for the US Investments  for presentation at the second B5+1 Forum in Bishkek, Kyrgyz Republic in early 2026. Total:       30 days  Scope of Work and Deliverables- 10 days 1. Analysis on the investment environment for critical minerals in Central Asia with a focus on increasing cooperation with the United States<ul><li style="margin-left:8px;">Outline and map current investment environment for critical minerals in Central Asia as well as US investments in critical minerals in Central Asia</li><li style="margin-left:8px;">What are the key policy-related challenges and opportunities to expand or bring new US investment in critical minerals in Central Asia, including relevant case studies</li></ul>Technical requirements:<ul><li style="margin-left:8px;">The document should be about 10-15 pages</li><li style="margin-left:8px;">English language</li><li style="margin-left:8px;">Outline information sources and provide appendixes with necessary information </li><li style="margin-left:8px;">Analysis should be based on desk research, expert interviews, surveys and/or focus groups (recommended primarily with the members of the IBECA consultative group plus other key experts as needed), etc.</li></ul> This deliverable could be completed by the expert individually or in collaboration with experts nominated from each Central Asian country. 2. Establish Consultative Group on Critical Minerals under B5+1 (2 days)<ul><li style="margin-top:16px;margin-bottom:16px;margin-left:8px;">Stakeholder mapping and establishment of the Consultative Group (B5+1 countries) represented by business associations, SMEs, think-tanks, experts. etc. </li></ul>3. Consultative Group's Facilitation and Consultations (5 days)  In collaboration with CIPE’s Program Team:<ul><li style="margin-top:16px;margin-bottom:16px;margin-left:8px;">Develop agendas for the consultations and meetings</li><li style="margin-top:16px;margin-bottom:16px;margin-left:8px;">Facilitate three to four virtual and one in-person regional meetings, as needed.</li><li style="margin-top:16px;margin-bottom:16px;margin-left:8px;">Prepare meeting summaries and resolution documents.</li><li style="margin-top:16px;margin-bottom:16px;margin-left:8px;">Guide participants in consensus-building and policy alignment.</li></ul>4. Research and Development of the Business Position Paper (BPP) (10 days)<ul><li style="margin-top:16px;margin-bottom:16px;margin-left:8px;">Based upon the analysis and consultations above, identify key priorities of the BPP on critical minerals</li><li style="margin-top:16px;margin-bottom:16px;margin-left:8px;">Develop policy recommendations (country-specific with impact to the region) with data on benefits and impacts to the regional business environment (B5+1)</li><li style="margin-top:16px;margin-bottom:16px;margin-left:8px;">Draft the BBP with the following structure:<ul style="list-style-type:circle;"><li style="margin-top:16px;margin-bottom:16px;">Introduction</li><li style="margin-top:16px;margin-bottom:16px;margin-left:8px;">Priorities and Recommendations</li><li style="margin-top:16px;margin-bottom:16px;margin-left:8px;">Conclusions</li><li style="margin-top:16px;margin-bottom:16px;margin-left:8px;">Appendices</li><li style="margin-top:16px;margin-bottom:16px;margin-left:8px;">(To be delivered in English and Russian)</li></ul></li></ul>5.  Forum Presentation (3 days)<ul><li style="margin-top:16px;margin-bottom:16px;margin-left:8px;">Develop and deliver a 15-minute presentation at the B5+1 Forum in Bishkek on the BBP. Outline and present a priority recommendations for the 2026 Final Communique of the B5+1</li></ul><ul><li style="margin-top:16px;margin-bottom:16px;margin-left:8px;">Participate in coordination of meetings with CIPE in-house experts as needed.</li></ul> Required qualifications:  <ul><li style="border:none;text-align:justify;">Proven experience in delivering well-substantiated research and analytical products in the field of economics and public policy, priority related to critical minerals in Central Asia</li><li style="border:none;text-align:justify;">Strong experience and qualifications in broad private sector development, investment and business environment reforms, with particular focus on regulatory and technical aspects of critical minerals under the B5+1 Regional Task Force</li><li style="border:none;text-align:justify;">Successful track record of organizing high level public private dialogues, also at the regional Central Asia level</li><li style="border:none;text-align:justify;">Relevant experience acting as facilitator, moderator and convening expert bringing together various stakeholders also from different countries in Central Asia and beyond</li><li style="border:none;text-align:justify;">Practical familiarity and background in producing high quality written outputs, policy briefs, monitoring reports, and statements for the high-level forums and events, also with participation of the government officials</li><li style="border:none;text-align:justify;">Excellent writing and speaking skills. Professional knowledge of English and Russian, plus one of Central Asia’s official languages preferred.</li></ul>

B5+1 Working Group Expert on Critical Mineral Resources

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